Cost of living in United Arab Emirates compared to Singapore
Currency:
| Food | + 4% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Singapore | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | Dirham 46 (SGD $17) | SGD $12 | + 36% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | Dirham 28 (SGD $10) | SGD $8 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | Dirham 19 (SGD $7) | SGD $5.49 | + 29% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | Dirham 7 (SGD $2.49) | SGD $2.99 | - 17% | |
| 12 eggs, large | Dirham 15 (SGD $5.30) | SGD $3.49 | + 52% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | Dirham 7 (SGD $2.58) | SGD $3.43 | - 25% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | Dirham 23 (SGD $9) | SGD $18 | - 53% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | Dirham 9 (SGD $3.23) | SGD $4.28 | - 25% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | Dirham 4.51 (SGD $1.64) | SGD $2.50 | - 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | Dirham 13 (SGD $4.88) | SGD $4.98 | - 2% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | Dirham 79 (SGD $29) | SGD $31 | - 6% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | Dirham 8 (SGD $2.95) | SGD $2.91 | + 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | Dirham 4.65 (SGD $1.69) | SGD $2.29 | - 26% | |
| Housing | - 14% | |||
| Housing in United Arab Emirates is 14% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | Dirham 7,762 (SGD $2,820) | SGD $3,813 | - 26% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | Dirham 5,728 (SGD $2,081) | SGD $2,710 | - 23% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | Dirham 686 (SGD $249) | SGD $158 | + 58% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | Dirham 4,762 (SGD $1,730) | SGD $3,050 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | Dirham 3,415 (SGD $1,240) | SGD $1,747 | - 29% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | Dirham 365 (SGD $133) | SGD $84 | + 58% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | Dirham 277 (SGD $101) | SGD $43 | + 132% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | Dirham 950 (SGD $345) | SGD $658 | - 48% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 375 (SGD $136) | SGD $187 | - 27% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | Dirham 37 (SGD $14) | SGD $11 | + 20% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | Dirham 33 (SGD $12) | SGD $18 | - 33% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in United Arab Emirates is 6% more expensive than in Singapore | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | Dirham 231 (SGD $84) | SGD $113 | - 26% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | Dirham 192 (SGD $70) | SGD $50 | + 41% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 342 (SGD $124) | SGD $141 | - 12% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | Dirham 345 (SGD $126) | SGD $177 | - 29% | |
| Transportation | - 63% | |||
| Transportation in United Arab Emirates is 63% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | Dirham 85,543 (SGD $31,076) | SGD $118,218 | - 74% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | Dirham 2.06 (SGD $0.75) | SGD $2.20 | - 66% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | Dirham 127 (SGD $46) | SGD $97 | - 53% | |
| Personal Care | + 2% | |||
| Personal Care in United Arab Emirates is about the same as in Singapore | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | Dirham 22 (SGD $8) | SGD $13 | - 39% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | Dirham 50 (SGD $18) | SGD $10 | + 82% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | Dirham 260 (SGD $94) | SGD $69 | + 36% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | Dirham 30 (SGD $11) | SGD $14 | - 21% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | Dirham 17 (SGD $6) | SGD $8 | - 18% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | Dirham 18 (SGD $7) | SGD $9 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | Dirham 12 (SGD $4.30) | SGD $2.89 | + 49% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | Dirham 12 (SGD $4.54) | SGD $4.27 | + 6% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | Dirham 70 (SGD $26) | SGD $35 | - 26% | |
| Entertainment | - 8% | |||
| Entertainment in United Arab Emirates is 8% cheaper than in Singapore | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | Dirham 189 (SGD $69) | SGD $54 | + 27% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | Dirham 83 (SGD $30) | SGD $26 | + 15% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | Dirham 595 (SGD $216) | SGD $134 | + 62% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | Dirham 263 (SGD $96) | SGD $147 | - 35% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | Dirham 74 (SGD $27) | SGD $21 | + 25% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | Dirham 21 (SGD $8) | SGD $6.00 | + 30% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | Dirham 45 (SGD $16) | SGD $11 | + 50% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | Dirham 1,834 (SGD $666) | SGD $724 | - 8% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | Dirham 0.64 (SGD $0.23) | SGD $0.25 | - 9% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | Dirham 285 (SGD $103) | SGD $163 | - 36% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | Dirham 19 (SGD $7) | SGD $14 | - 49% | |
| TOTAL | - 24% | |||
These prices were last updated on April 18, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.36328
SGD
/
AED
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 2,162 prices entered by 496 different people.
Cost of living in United Arab Emirates is 24% cheaper than in Singapore
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